It’s an eventuality but there are plans to have WhatsApp updating contacts if a phone number changes. Indeed, how many times have you tried messaging someone on WhatsApp only to find someone random replying you? This is most likely because they changed their number and forgot to tell you. Fret not, as this instant messaging platform will roll out this change soon. This will work even if they don’t have an active conversation with most contacts.

WhatsApp is currently testing out this feature in Beta Mode for Google Android users. This update will allow users to notify their contacts that they have changed numbers. To do this, firstly change your number by going to WhatsApp Settings > Account. Then, you should be prompted to this screen:

Here, users can opt to notify everyone, people you talk to, or customise the notifications. However, those in groups that they are also in will see the change regardless.

Furthermore, this change would see users be able to preserve chat history with their contacts even if they changed numbers. All chat history files will move to the new number and there will be a notification stating that user/s have already changed their numbers.

(Source: WABetaInfo)